THE HISTORY OF GARDENING. 33 



when in bloom I will forward to the Conductor of this magazine a 

 bloom. 



I grew my Camellias in chopped turfy loam, at least six months 

 previously collected ; this is well incorporated with turfy sandy peat, 

 old rotten cow manure, and a sprinkling of bits of charcoal. I have 

 a free drainage of broken pot and pieces of turf. I never have soil 

 sifted. By this, and a regular attention to watering, my plants are 

 very vigorous, and in robust health. 



ARTICLE VI. 



ON THE WANT OF LACING IN PINKS DURING THE PAST 



SEASON. 



BY DIANTHUS. 



When up in London this season, I attended all the first-rate flower 

 exhibitions, and being an admirer and grower of the best kinds of 

 Pinks, I paid attention to my pet flowers exhibited, I was much 

 surprised to notice that in general there was much deficiency in the 

 lacing of the petals. This I supposed was induced by the dryness 

 of the season, and a deficiency of watering. My Pinks never did 

 better ; I grow them in a sandy loam, well enriched. I had the beds 

 well watered to six inches deep once a week, and after sunset, before 

 the flowers expanded, I had the plants sprinkled over, by means of a 

 watering-can having a rose, with soft water. This attention was 

 amply repaid by a most beautiful and perfect bloom. 



ARTICLE VII. 



THE HISTORY OF GARDENING. 



BY CLKRICUS. 



Gardening was probably one of the first arts that succeeded to that 

 of building houses, and naturally attended property and individual 

 possession. Culinary, and afterwards medicinal herbs were the 

 objects of every head of a family : it became convenient to have them 

 within reach, without seeking them at random in woods, in meadows, 

 and on mountains, as often as they were wanted. When the earth 

 ceased to furnish spontaneously all these primitive luxuries, and 

 culture became requisite, separate inclosures for rearing herbs grew 



